Pink Prescriptions: Do You Hear What I Hear?

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Is it important to seek treatment for hearing loss?

People with untreated hearing loss (people with hearing loss who do not wear hearing aids) experience a Decemberreased quality of life. Untreated hearing loss has been shown to cause sadness, depression, anxiety, paranoia and poor social relationships. People with untreated hearing loss may have a difficult time in their careers—often earning thousands of dollars less than their hearing peers. However, the difference in wages between people with untreated and treated hearing loss, is reduced by half when people wear hearing aids. If you think you may have a hearing loss, set up an appointment to have your hearing checked.

Frederick Freeman, M.D. a board certified ENT Specialist at Hardeeville Medical Group

Does using headphones or earbuds adversely affect hearing? Does loudness/volume matter?

Yes, both headphones and earbuds can adversely affect hearing depending on the volume of the noise/ music. Noise induced hearing loss may be worse with the use of earbuds versus headphones, since with earbuds, despite being jammed into the ear canal, ambient noise is not blunted and one may tend to increase the volume of the music, which may cause more damage to one’s hearing. Long-term use of earbuds and headphones certainly contributes to hearing loss.

Robert Vyge, M.D. is a board certified internist at Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine

Are there different types of hearing loss?

There are three primary hearing loss categories: sensorineural, conductive and mixed.
The most common is called “sensorineural.” Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when tiny hair cells within the inner ear are damaged. Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and in most cases there are no medical or surgical treatment options. Hearing aids are the primary treatment for sensorineural hearing loss.

The most common sensorineural hearing loss is a high-frequency hearing loss, typically associated with aging or noise exposure and often both. High-frequency hearing loss may be difficult for patients to “self-diagnose” because it occurs slowly over Decemberades. Persons with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss often note they can hear, but they cannot hear clearly. They may say, “People don’t speak as clearly as they used to…” The primary rehabilitative tool for these individuals is hearing aids.

The second type of hearing loss is referred to as “conductive.” Most often, conductive hearing loss results from a blockage of the normal air conduction sound pathways. Conductive hearing loss may be due to ear wax blocking the ear canal or perhaps a foreign object may be lodged in the ear canal. Another example of a conductive hearing loss is when fluid occupies the middle ear space, as might occur with common ear infections.
The third most common type of hearing loss is called a “mixed” hearing loss. As its name implies, it involves both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss components.

Frederick Freeman, M.D. a board certified ENT Specialist at Hardeeville Medical Group

What are safe ways to clean my ears?

Rule of thumb: Do not use cotton buds to clean your ears; they can cause trauma to the ear canal or worse, to the delicate eardrum. If needed, use a gentle irrigation to clean out your ear canals. Baby or mineral oil drops or over-the-counter earwax remover may help with excess wax removal if needed. If your ear feels full, it is better to seek advice from your medical professional. Back to the rule, never put anything in your ear canal smaller than your elbow!

Robert Vyge, M.D. is a board certified internist at Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine

Is hearing loss a definite part of aging or can it be prevented?

Age-related hearing loss, known as Presbycusis, is common and occurs in most people to some degree as they get older. There are a lot of other factors that can contribute to hearing loss as one ages, such as years of excessive loud noise exposure (causing noise-induced hearing loss), family history of hearing loss, medical conditions such as diabetes and certain medications.
There is no cure for age-related hearing loss, but it can be treated with hearing aids or more advanced treatments, such as a cochlear implant. Preventative measures, such as reducing ones exposure to loud noises, may help reduce the degree of future hearing loss.

Robert Vyge, M.D. is a board certified internist at Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine

 

Leave a comment

You are commenting as guest.